New Illinois natural resources director touts experience

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - The new director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says his farming and military experience will help make for a smooth transition.

Former State Rep. Wayne Rosenthal took over the top spot at the natural resources department from Marc Miller, who was appointed by former Gov. Pat Quinn. Rosenthal, a Republican, stepped down from the state representative post that he was first elected to in 2010.

Rosenthal told the Southern Illinoisan (http://bit.ly/1ziwB5B ) that he gained leadership and management skills from his 30 years in the Illinois Air National Guard, and 20 years operating his family's grain farm. He served as a general in the guard.

Budgeting is one of Rosenthal's first priorities, he said, and he has spent much of his first days meeting with different divisions. His lack of a biological sciences background shouldn't matter, he said.

"There are 16 divisions within DNR, and six of them may entail wildlife biologists and 10 that don't," he said. "The key is to be able to know where to go to get those answers."

Rosenthal also said he won't be swayed by past political donations from energy companies.

"Everybody needs to follow the rules and regs that have been put in place," he said. "That's the DNR's job to make sure all those are followed. I spent 30 years in the military - that's what I did, follow rules."

The Department of Natural Resources oversees state parks, hunting and fishing in Illinois, and the Office of Mines and Minerals, among other duties. The agency has 1,300 employees.

___

Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com